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Good Wednesday to you. It's May but we're kicking into gear for you with new Footballguys features for the 2012 season. Should be a blast. In the meantime, we've got the news and notes you need so let's get to it.

With New England Patriots WR Wes Welker signing his one-year, $9.5 million franchise tender, speculation of whether he will attend the team's mandatory minicamps in June comes to an end. He previously hinted that he may miss the offseason activities if a new deal wasn't in place.

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis doesn't expect any drop-off with QB Drew Brees this year in the absence of head coach Sean Payton, mostly because of the presence of offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, who has worked with Brees since 2002. '(Carmichael's) in tune with Drew, and he's in tune with Sean and what he is looking for offensively in terms of rhythm as well as scheme,' Loomis said. 'Sean's been able to mentor him as he's come along. He's grown each year, and he did a fantastic job last year when Sean was down. If not for that, I think that would've been an uncertainty with us - we'd think Pete could do a good job, but now we know.' However, Brees is in a contract standoff with the team currently and isn't working out.

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This is a situation that could last into July. As of now the two sides have made no progress in talks, but that could change as the July 16th deadline to sign Franchise Players to long-term extensions gets closer.

Former Dallas Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith called out RB Felix Jones Tuesday, May 15, saying he needs to play a bigger role in the team's success. 'We need Felix Jones to step up because we know DeMarco Murray can make it happen. We need Felix to step up a little bit - that's a true statement,' Smith said.

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Jones is a good weapon but injuries have prevented him from playing up to his potential. He'll compete with Demarco Murray for the starting job in 2012, but we think Murray wins that competition. Jones could perhaps stay healthy if used as a part time change of pace back.

New York Jets quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh has high hopes for QB Tim Tebow, and he said that Tebow 'can be very good.' 'I was pleasantly surprised when I saw him over an extended period of time ... not just watching him play on film,' Cavanaugh said. 'I think he's certainly got the arm strength. He has good mechanics. They're getting better every day.' Offensive coordinator Tony Sparano said Tebow has made 'eye-opening' progress as a passer in the last two years.

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The Jets could use Tebow in a number of different ways and he may see up to 20 snaps a game as a Wildcat QB. If Mark Sanchez struggles this year then we could see Tebow take over as the full time starter around the mid-way point of the season.

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Joe Vitt said Monday, May 14, that the team will likely have to back off RB Mark Ingram (knee) at the start of training camp. However, Ingram should get the green light for the regular season.

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Ingram underwent arthroscopic knee surgery at the beginning of this month and is expected to be sidelined for about six weeks. The team will be careful with the young RB when he's ready to resume practicing so his knee injury isn't aggravated. Monitor Ingram's value in dynasty leagues and try to buy low if you can. He's very talented and could shine on the NFL stage if healthy and given the opportunity.

LaFell could be ready to breakout in 2012. He's a big target with smooth athleticism and the ability to get on top of the defense in a hurry. While defenses are rolling Safety help to Smith's side, LaFell should be able to take advantage of one-on-one coverage.

Cleveland Browns QB Brandon Weeden had a strong rookie minicamp, and head coach Pat Shurmur said Weeden is making a strong case for himself in his pursuit of the starting job. 'There's no question I think he's headed in the right direction,' Shurmur said. 'He showed us in the first minicamp that he can throw the ball in this league, and now we'll get a chance to see him interact with the team, the full squad, and see how he does.'

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The team said they won't hand the starting job to him, but they'd better as the soon to be 29-year old QB wasn't drafted to sit the bench. He's unpolished as a QB and needs to work on taking snaps, dropping back, and he especially needs to stop locking onto his first target.

Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur said Monday, May 14, that WR Mohamed Massaquoi needs to step up this summer. 'It's time for him to show us what we know he can do,' Shurmur said. 'I think last year he was hampered by injury, which can be tough for a receiver. What I've seen thus far in the offseason, it looks like he's gonna be ready to go.'

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Massaquoi could be pushed in training camp for his starting job by a guy like Carlton Mitchell. With Brandon Weeden expected to be the starting QB it will make Mitchell an attractive deep target because of his size/speed combination. Massaquoi has failed to impress during his pro career and needs to elevate his game this offseason.

Denver Broncos president John Elway confirmed that the team selected QB Brock Osweiler to 'sacrifice the short-term for the long-term.' 'It's always tough to pick a quarterback that you know is not going to play for you for a while. But I think we have high hopes for him in the future to where once Peyton decides to hang them up that he's the guy in waiting that can keep this (going) and we don't miss a beat ... and we can continue to compete for world championships year in and year out,' Elway said. QB Peyton Manning plans to fulfill all five years of his contract, while his father said Manning is 'year to year.'

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Our very own Cecil Lammey was in attendance for Broncos minicamp over the weekend and said that Osweiler had improved his throwing motion and his footwork. Osweiler is seen as the QB of the future and will be groomed behind Peyton Manning for the next three years or so.

Oakland Raiders WR Juron Criner is impressing during the team's organized team activities this week. He can become a nice complement to WR Denarius Moore in the passing game.

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Not a surprise here. Criner was very impressive on film at Arizona and he bailed out his QB Nick Foles a lot. He plays bigger than his size and his large catch radius helps him snare poorly thrown passes with ease. Criner reminds many in the scouting community of Saints WR Marques Colston and was a fantastic pick by the Raiders.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid, free-agent QB Donovan McNabb's (Vikings) former head coach, said any team would be wise to take a chance on the quarterback. 'I still think he can play. I think the world of him, and we had some great years together here. I'm always wishing him the best and a fan of his. I got a chance to see him at Brian Dawkins' retirement (event),' Reid said. 'He looks good. He looks physically good. He looks like he could go out and play tomorrow. I would highly recommend (him).'

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McNabb has said that he'd be willing to play for any team, but there are few interested in his services right now. The Eagles QB corps is full with Trent Edwards and Mike Kafka competing to be the primary backup behind Michael Vick. Rookie Nick Foles is likely to be their third-string developmental QB.

Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur said Monday, May 14, that he expects TE Jordan Cameron to take a big step forward this season. 'The guy that looks way different is Jordan Cameron. Oh, gosh - the size - and he's had a great offseason. He's a guy that hadn't played much football, so I think he'll make a big improvement this year,' Shurmur said.

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Cameron was very raw coming out of USC in 2011. He's a former basketball star who only had 16 catches during his college career. Cameron is a player to watch in dynasty leagues as he plays a lot like Saints TE Jimmy Graham. He's an athletic move TE who can attack the deep middle seam of the defense and makes difficult catches seem routine.

Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur indicated Monday, May 14, that RB Adonis Thomas can compete for a roster spot. 'It was just a weekend tryout, and (he) impressed us enough where we signed him to our 90-man roster. So he'll be coming to training camp with us. He did a terrific job and we feel like he's got a chance to contribute,' Shurmur said.

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Thomas is too small to be a full time RB, but has the versatility to be a good change of pace back. He's quick, agile, and athletic which makes him difficult to tackle in the open field.

New York Jets DL Kenrick Ellis could face up to 20 years in prison or deportation for a felony charge of malicious wounding. His criminal trial will begin Tuesday, May 22.

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This trial has already been delayed multiple times, but now we'll see what kind of trouble Ellis could be in. Ellis is not a citizen of the United States and could be deported back to Jamaica if found guilty.

Jacksonville Jaguars DL Terrance Knighton (eye) currently has 20/60 vision in his left eye after having only 20/100 vision after his first two surgeries.

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He's going to be out of action for about three months, but hopes to be ready for Training Camp in August. In the meantime Knighton is planning to working with conditioning coach Josh Hingst to keep his weight down during inactivity.